Level three water restrictions remain in force and MidCoast Water is urging residents to get behind their ‘target 22’ program which aims to limit daily water consumption for the area to 22 million litres a day.

MidCoast Water’s general manager Robert Loadsman has called on the community’s support to get the water supply through the current drought conditions.

“While the light rainfall of the last few days has been welcome for lawns and gardens, it will do little to increase flows in the Manning River,” Mr Loadsman said.

Mr Loadsman said while consumption has been steadily reducing since peaks of 30 million litres of water a day in late January, there is still a way to go to reach the targeted 22 million litres per day.

Over the last few days usage has hovered around the mid 20s, with 28 million litres used on Saturday, 25.4 million on Sunday, 27.8 million on Monday and 27.5 million on Tuesday. The cooler and wetter conditions of Wednesday saw the usage get closer to the target at 22.9 million litres.

However with little rain in the catchment and no significant rainfall forecast, residents need to remain vigilant about their water use.

Residents are reminded level three restrictions ban the use of sprinklers and fixed hoses at all times. and restrict the use of hand-held hoses and microspray systems, usage has fallen to around 25 – 27 million litres per day.

Hand-held hoses can be used for up to one hour every second day, outside of the hours of 10am and 4pm. Microspray systems can be used for up to 15 minutes every second day, outside the hours of 10am and 4pm.

Watering cans and buckets can be used at any time.

The restrictions operate on an ‘odds and evens’ system matching house numbers. For example if your house number is 12, then you can water on all even days of the month i.e. 2nd, 4th, 6th etc. If your house number is 13 you can water on all odd days of the month, i.e. 1st. 3rd, 5th etc

These restrictions apply to residents supplied by the Manning scheme - those in the area between Crowdy Head in the north and Tarbuck Bay in the south.

Details of the restrictions are available from MidCoast Water offices, via the customer service line on 1300 133 455 or on our website at www.midcoastwater.com.au